Overview of Code Switch — “Markwayne Mullin is conservative, Christian, Cherokee, and the new head of DHS”
This episode (hosts Gene Demby and B.A. Parker) interviews AP reporter Graham Lee Brewer about Senator Markwayne Mullin — a Cherokee Nation citizen recently confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The conversation explains Mullin’s biography, political alignment, how his Indigenous identity factors into expectations from tribal nations, and the open questions about what his leadership could mean for immigration enforcement, tribal relations, and DHS’s role in election-related actions.
Key takeaways
- Markwayne Mullin is now DHS Secretary (confirmed March 23). He replaces Kristi Noem after controversies during her tenure.
- Mullin is a Cherokee Nation citizen, former MMA fighter, ran his family plumbing/HVAC business, served 10 years in the House, and became an Oklahoma senator in 2023.
- Politically he largely aligns with Donald Trump, but is also described as a bipartisan dealmaker in Congress and personally close to Trump.
- His Cherokee identity makes him the first Indigenous person to run DHS—this could help tribal consultation and address harms Native people encounter with immigration enforcement, but tribal opinion about him is mixed.
- Major uncertainties: Mullin’s lack of direct experience managing large emergency/security agencies, how strongly he’ll follow presidential directives (including any election-related requests), and whether his tribal ties will translate into policy changes that protect Native people.
Background on Mullin (personal and political)
- Biography highlights: Cherokee Nation citizen, ex‑MMA fighter, led Mullen Plumbing, long-time Republican congressman, U.S. senator since 2023.
- Path to Trump: developed a close personal relationship with Trump (an anecdote about Trump supporting Mullin’s injured son helped cement their bond).
- Reputation in Congress: on TV he can appear brash (noted confrontations), but colleagues—Democrats and Republicans—describe him as a likable, bipartisan broker who hosts cross‑party conversations.
Mullin’s political positions relevant to DHS
- Immigration: publicly backs strong border enforcement and has praised ICE/TSA/Border Patrol; has made hardline statements (e.g., suggesting children born here to undocumented parents could be deported if their parents are).
- Employer history: as a business owner he sponsored immigrant employees for citizenship and helped them settle—showing a pragmatic side on immigrant labor.
- January 6: present that day, tried to engage rioters to leave, called Capitol Police heroes, but also supported claims the 2020 election was stolen (voted not to affirm certification).
- Overall alignment: generally echoes Trump administration positions; the mix of loyalty to the president and reputation for bipartisan listening is a central tension.
What Mullin’s Cherokee identity means for Indian country
- Symbolic significance: first Native person to head DHS — representation matters and brings a tribal perspective into a department that affects Native communities.
- Practical opportunities: Mullin’s existing relationships with tribal leaders (especially in Oklahoma) could improve government‑to‑government consultation, training for officers to recognize and respect tribal IDs, and attention to treaty/trust responsibilities where DHS intersects with tribal life.
- Skepticism and complexity: many tribal citizens caution that Native identity in a role doesn’t automatically produce pro‑tribal outcomes — historical examples show Native officials have at times participated in policies harmful to tribes. Cherokee opinion on Mullin is mixed.
Potential impacts and open questions
- Tribal protections: Mullin could reduce wrongful detentions of Native people, push for better training on tribal IDs, and use presidential access to advocate for tribal needs.
- Immigration enforcement: likely to continue strong enforcement posture, but his employer history suggests nuanced views on immigrant labor. Concrete policy direction remains unclear.
- Election involvement risk: DHS has been pressured before to intervene in elections (e.g., attempted 2020 machine seizures). Mullin’s prior support of election fraud claims raises concerns about whether he would comply with similar directives.
- Administrative capacity: Mullin has limited experience leading agencies of DHS’s size and scope (emergency management, border security, cybersecurity), so operational effectiveness is an open question.
Notable quotes and framing from the episode
- Two portraits of Mullin: “the kind, charismatic, bipartisan broker” versus “the fiercely loyal protégé of Trump.” Which version will govern DHS is a central uncertainty.
- From Mullin (as reported): “I never knew I was special for being Cherokee until I came to D.C.”
- Hosts emphasize that representation alone is not a guarantee of policy outcomes; history complicates expectations.
What to watch next
- Whether Mullin implements or mandates DHS training on tribal IDs and tribal‑specific policies.
- Changes (if any) to ICE/TSA/Border Patrol practices that affect Native communities.
- Mullin’s response to any presidential request related to elections or extraordinary DHS actions (e.g., equipment seizures or election‑related deployments).
- How tribal leaders and Congress engage with Mullin on treaty/trust responsibilities and consultation processes.
Sources and speakers
- This episode of NPR’s Code Switch — hosts Gene Demby and B.A. Parker.
- Guest: Graham Lee Brewer, Associated Press reporter covering race/ethnicity and Indian Country.
Summary prepared to give a quick, actionable sense of the episode’s main points and the major questions raised about Markwayne Mullin’s leadership at DHS.